Gone Rogue

With some changes in my plans, late May became wide open, and all that was on the agenda was some potential multi-day raft time with Brian. To make the most of his days, we aimed to get something going over the Memorial Day weekend.

With some close attention to canceled and last minute permit postings, we were able to get four spots to put-on, on The Rogue. So we loaded Silvia up with all the raft gear and the ladies, and b-lined it for Southern Oregon. Both Brian and I have floated the 40+ mile, Wild and Scenic section of The Rogue before when we, separately, had taken a rowing clinic up that way. It’s the river where we got the base for our whitewater skills so were both excited to get back up there and see it through slightly more experienced eyes.

The weather was pretty questionable, but with some last minute scurrying in Medford we got enough clothes for a small winter-army to make sure Kate didn’t die from a mild chill. We all managed, warm and upright, after four days and three nights on the river. We saw some weather, but had a pretty spectacular time on the river.

The forecast for the four days was not looking so hot as we departed SF

Loaded up and headed North

Gorgeous views of Mt Shasta on our Northern drive up I5

We crossed the state boarder in daylight

And made it to the river the next day

After some serious time unloading the truck 'n trailer, then loading the rafts we are ready to push off from Alameda Bar

Me, scouting two of the three possibilities at our first big rapid, Raine Falls

We opt for the Class III Fish Ladder, over the more serious lines – Brian and Kate go first

Brian entering the top of the Fish Ladder

And has an overall good run through it, just spinning once – much cleaner than my disaster that shortly followed

Kristin gets her first try on the sticks, pushing Magnum down river

  

Me rowing into Black Bar Rapid

Gets a little tight at the bottom, where I make some contact with a rock, but make it out more or less cleanly

Nice weather on day two – floating the gorgeous canyons

Brian at the helm of his ship

Stayed nice even into the evening – more flat water on the trip than either Brian or I could recall

So nice, that I even ditched the spray gear before we made it to camp – Kate was still wearing 5 layers of clothes BTW

Brian heading into one of the final bends before we made it to our camp for the night

Some beautiful evening views on a calm stretch of The Rogue

All set up at camp on night two at Missouri Creek

One of the best ones we found

Brian cranking his classic rock playlist by the fire

Special adult bev's all around – for Kate, it was Champagne in a can

Lots of little wildlife on the river  but no bear sightings – mostly tons of baby ducks & geese 

Was able to throw a few flies with my Spey rod in the AM before breaky

After a serious nights downpour, Kate gets seriously suited up for our coldest day on the river

A much more dramatic day with fog and rain on our third day

Kate is particularly happy about this all

Kristin and me working our way through some crazy water in the narrows around Coffee Pot

The full group at Stair Creek Falls

Some crazy evidence of a previous high water event

Kate doing her best to get warm by hauling on the sticks

The view down river as we scout our biggest rapid, Blossom Bar – which I absolutely greased 

Kate takes some more serious measures to stay warm

The weather lifts a bit as we pull into our final camping spot for the trip at Lower Tate

Dinner is served  – Kristin & me with a good looking Tamale Pie on the Dutch Oven

By our final day Kristin is much more comfortable on the sticks and rowing splashy II+ rapids

Lined up to get wet

The group on our last day, under the sun and in front of Flora Dell Creek Falls

All smiles as the trip winds down – Kristin & me looking sporty

Safe and loaded back up to head home